ACT TEACHERS Partylist Rep. France Castro welcomed the 10-day service credit for teachers volunteering for election service.

“We welcome the commitment of the Commission on Elections to increase the number of service credits of teachers who will be volunteering as election poll workers in the upcoming 2022 national elections,” Castro said.

She was informed that the Comelec drafted a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education on the additional 5 days service credit for election service volunteers.

“Malaking bagay ang additional service credit na maibibigay para sa ating mga volunteer poll workers. Ito ang isa sa kanilang mga panawagan na dapat lamang ay ibigay sa kanila dahil ito rin ay nasa batas sa Section 4 ng Republic Act 10756 o ang Election Service Reform Act na dapat ay muling sinusuri ang mga honorarium at benepisyo na ibinibigay sa mga volunteer poll workers kada tatlong taon,” Castro said.

“Gayundin, hinihimok natin na bigyan din ng sapat na pondo ang dagdag na honorarium, transportation at meals allowance at hazard pay ng mga election service volunteers na P10,000 para sa Chairperson ng Electoral Boards, P9,000 para sa members, P8,000 para sa DepEd Supervisor Officials, P7,000 para sa support staff. Mahalaga rin na bigyan ng sapat na travel allowance ang ating mga poll workers na P3,000-P5,000 at P2,500 na meals allowance,” she added.

Castro said that the upcoming elections will pose unprecedented challenges because of the Covid19 pandemic.

“They also are tasked to transport election paraphernalia among others. This much time outside their homes and level of activity will significantly increase the exposure of poll workers to the Covid19 virus,” Castro added.

The solon stressed that the P2,000 across the board increase for the honorarium of poll workers will not be enough especially if the Comelec will allow longer voting hours.